DOH raises awareness drive versus lung cancer

To scale up initiatives for lung cancer awareness, the Department of Health in Central Visayas highlighted the importance of keeping the lungs healthy and underscored the harmful effects of smoking.

Dr. Sharon Azenith Laurel, Medical Officer IV of DOH-7, has emphasized the common causes of acquiring lung cancer and the harmful effects of the chemicals found in tobacco smoke.

“There are factors that will lead to lung cancer, particularly and the very most common risk factor for lung cancer would be smoking. Atong mga kabatan-onan karon are into cigarette smoking or even kanang mga vapes, cigars and pipes also increase risk of lung cancer,” Laurel said, in a statement.

She said that smoke is a toxic mix of more than 7,000 chemicals, of which we have to be mindful of.

She said that amongst the 7,000 chemicals, 70 percent of which are known to cause cancer.

The World Health Organization (WHO) cited that lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way in the lungs.

Smoking tobacco (including cigarettes, cigars, and pipes) is the primary risk factor for lung cancer and can also affect non-smokers. The most common symptoms include persistent or worsening cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood, constant fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

“Be aware that people who smoke are 15-30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die of it compared to people who do not smoke and people who are not exposed to people who smoke. The risk actually for lung cancer goes up with more years of smoking and more cigarette smoke each day. So the longer you have been smoking and the more cigarettes you smoke each day, the higher your risk of getting lung cancer,” Laurel added.

The DOH, guided by 8-point Action Agenda of the current Health Secretary, has augmented its efforts in health promotion and education, particularly in raising awareness among communities about the significance of screening, early diagnosis, and preventive measures that aid in eradicating lung cancer. –